And it won’t be the last project of its kind, says Vereeniging Business Cooperation (VBC) which coordinated the massive project between ELM, service providers and donors, according to VBC Chairperson Kevin Jackson.
The project cost almost R100 000 – all raised by organised business – and was situated at the sub-station on Joe’s Auto premises in Union Street in the Vereeniging CBD. Now the refurbishment will contribute towards reducing power outages damaging residents and business in the area.
The refurbished transformer was previously covered in grime and had not been serviced as required by Law for many years. Jackson, himself a prominent Vaal businessperson, said the project was a great success and would definitely not be the last of its kind in Vereeniging, which has been especially hard-hit by continuing municipal power outages and infrastructure breakdowns and sabotage.
The transformer was refurbished by Transformer Trading and Repair in full cooperation with ELM, said Jackson. The sub-station housing the transformer was also cleaned as part of the upgrade.
“I would like to thank on behalf of VBC all the kind donors whose contributions made this excellent upgrade possible – and I can also add that there will be more projects of this kind in the pipeline,” said Jackson.
Jackson and the VBC also played a major role in the earlier upgrade of the Vereeniging Fire Station in the CBD earlier and he and a high-powered business delegation also recently visited the Vanderbijlpark Fire Station to inspect its state of readiness. ELM Administrator Gilberto Martins also attended the meeting and rapid improvements were made to the Vanderbijlpark Fire Station as well.
Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCoC) CEO Klippies Kritzinger also attended the Fire Station meetings and also visited the Union Street transformer upgrade site.
“It is amazing what our Vaal community can do – despite all the challenges of Covid-19 and a struggling regional economy, the business community finds resources to help and improve things. This is so humbling and uplifting,” said Kritzinger.
